So beautiful, Karen. Thank you as always. The fog in the lake, the sun burning through, the primal scream - I feel all of it. Thank you for the resources too, I use insight timer (free app) for guided meditations and I’ve been keeping poems & quotes (James Baldwin in particular) nearby for moments when I need grounding or clarity. Also lots of long walks. 💗 May this moment keep us tender and allow us to grow in compassion for ourselves and all beings.
“I will not give more of my life to fear and outrage. I am going to do this different this time.” i'm hearing this from so many people including myself / great post / what feels essential to me right now ?? being authentic / i need to feel my joy and enjoy my adventures and let my creative voice sing out in whatever way it can / either we're doomed or this is the start of a great awakening not to sound evangelical because it's about each of us not a religion or a government or even a movement / grass roots power to the people truth is within kind of awakening / we are human / we can royally fuck things up or we can totally transform this darkness into light / it just needs to become trendy / maybe the kids can do it
Thank you Karen for your ministry that feeds my soul inside and out!! You have brought so much beauty and hope into my life through many years and trying times. I know you love music and I have been thinking of you a lot as my mind just keeps playing “we shall overcome”. I have replaced watching the news with listening to music on the radio and play in a blue grass jam weekly for joy. My guitar helps me through it all. The vision and wisdom of your photos and writing always reminds me that I am not alone. You gave such a gift to that woman. Im so grateful to have found you in the fog.
Your foggy morning/ post election experience really speaks to me... you go way beyond the usual sunrise and bird meditation ritual (which in itself is huge!) and I am amazed to see that connections go way beyond our personal experience, that indeed we are not alone but connected in ways we hardly dare to imagine... so true for me too as I tend to avoid people when out in nature but increasingly realize they are also part of nature, part of me, my alleys really, part of the web of resilience we rely on in these dark times... I also hugged a total stranger this week in need for solidarity.
Thank you Herta! I love knowing the synchronicity of how we are moved in this time. It feels much more like an energy rising, a thread, than a single act.
Karen, that was me at the end of the dock, then my husband , my close friends, my sister, neighbor , and millions more, we each took our turn. Alone, at the end of the dock in every city, USA. Sometimes we just need to purge the evil and negativity we have sucked in . Like smog it came forth. I feel better after seeing a photograph of myself that you took. You captured exactly what I was feeling. I will be spending most of the winter months in the clean air of the mountains , cold , crisp and coated white. Plumes of smokey breath exhaling peace . I become part of the wildlife, reviving . I hope you find your own healing place.
Thank you for your message of hope and resilience. May you keep on finding the peace within. My husband is the one who got me interested in birding. We were often out in some wilderness grove or marsh and put many miles in at Point Pelee every May migration. When he passed away it was hard to go out alone, but the peace and the beauty of being in nature is overwhelming; you are alone, but not alone. I love the avocets, their beauty and grace and the many tiny beautiful warblers.
I appreciated this post today Karen. Thank you for giving so much of you to us! The words, the photos, the gift of hugs to others, and the resources that keep you centered. For me routine helps me stay centered. My morning routine in particular which includes prayers, gratitude, reading meditation books, some journaling, stretching, coffee, and then my morning walk. It is all good. I have the luxury of being retired so I have the time to do this routine, which wasn't always the case. Blessings I send to you and to all your readers!
Thank you Linda. Routine for me too is important. That sounds like a wonderful morning routine! I long for the day when I can afford to be retired enough to set my own schedule and have a longer morning practice!
I worked for many years until I was 70 years old. So I am enjoying it. I forgot to add how important it is to have my walks in nature. I look for hawks and have many pictures. I have been trying to learn the names of plants and birds. Plus I am meeting my neighbors. I believe days are long years are short. You will get there. I appreciate you!
You touched me deeply with this morning’s writings ~ I felt tears well up as you described the woman on the pier~ I feel lighter after you shared~ you are an amazing person Karen I am grateful to know you.
Great post Karen…thx for sharing all your resources. And what an encounter you had with the young single Mom….I’m sure your presence helped her cope👍❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
they had meditation programs on zoom early on Election Night, have an ongoing program on aging,
run by the always on target writer Eve Marko, and a Contemplative Social Action Event with
Dr. Pamela Ayo Yetunde, 11/14
programs are free, they ask for a donation
Their late founder Roshi Bernie Glassman had a core belief that spiritual practice needs to be grounded in concrete work in the real world so his Greyston Bakery in Yonkers NY hired the unhireable and made it work.
Sharon, you were the winner of the giveaway drawing! Can you email me a shipping address at karen@opendoordreaming.com along with a measurement of your wrist so I can get the right size?
Lovely writing and stunning photos. xo
Thank you so much Peter!
Favorite Shaker Hymn: Simple Gifts
(‘Tis the gift to be simple; ‘Tis the gift to be free…)
Thank you, I’m going to look that up!
So beautiful, Karen. Thank you as always. The fog in the lake, the sun burning through, the primal scream - I feel all of it. Thank you for the resources too, I use insight timer (free app) for guided meditations and I’ve been keeping poems & quotes (James Baldwin in particular) nearby for moments when I need grounding or clarity. Also lots of long walks. 💗 May this moment keep us tender and allow us to grow in compassion for ourselves and all beings.
Thank you Lindsey, and what a lovely wish/prayer that is.
“I will not give more of my life to fear and outrage. I am going to do this different this time.” i'm hearing this from so many people including myself / great post / what feels essential to me right now ?? being authentic / i need to feel my joy and enjoy my adventures and let my creative voice sing out in whatever way it can / either we're doomed or this is the start of a great awakening not to sound evangelical because it's about each of us not a religion or a government or even a movement / grass roots power to the people truth is within kind of awakening / we are human / we can royally fuck things up or we can totally transform this darkness into light / it just needs to become trendy / maybe the kids can do it
It feels like an energy rising in many of us, doesn't it? Thank you for this Rohn.
Thank you Karen for your ministry that feeds my soul inside and out!! You have brought so much beauty and hope into my life through many years and trying times. I know you love music and I have been thinking of you a lot as my mind just keeps playing “we shall overcome”. I have replaced watching the news with listening to music on the radio and play in a blue grass jam weekly for joy. My guitar helps me through it all. The vision and wisdom of your photos and writing always reminds me that I am not alone. You gave such a gift to that woman. Im so grateful to have found you in the fog.
Thank you Julianne - and "We Shall Overcome" is a great song. I love that you play in a blue grass jam! How wonderful!
oh my god. you walking in fog. the light shining through, no matter what. the young woman's scream. I am slain.
I really should say - about storytelling. Or maybe story-weaving.
Thank you Janisse, that means so much coming from you! I learn so much about writing by reading your writing.
Your foggy morning/ post election experience really speaks to me... you go way beyond the usual sunrise and bird meditation ritual (which in itself is huge!) and I am amazed to see that connections go way beyond our personal experience, that indeed we are not alone but connected in ways we hardly dare to imagine... so true for me too as I tend to avoid people when out in nature but increasingly realize they are also part of nature, part of me, my alleys really, part of the web of resilience we rely on in these dark times... I also hugged a total stranger this week in need for solidarity.
Thank you Herta! I love knowing the synchronicity of how we are moved in this time. It feels much more like an energy rising, a thread, than a single act.
November 5_ 2024; 7:45am
Karen, that was me at the end of the dock, then my husband , my close friends, my sister, neighbor , and millions more, we each took our turn. Alone, at the end of the dock in every city, USA. Sometimes we just need to purge the evil and negativity we have sucked in . Like smog it came forth. I feel better after seeing a photograph of myself that you took. You captured exactly what I was feeling. I will be spending most of the winter months in the clean air of the mountains , cold , crisp and coated white. Plumes of smokey breath exhaling peace . I become part of the wildlife, reviving . I hope you find your own healing place.
Beautifully written Lor. "Plumes of smokey breath exhaling peace."
I write my responses in Notes in my IPhone, then copy and paste in comments. I just noticed I left off the last paragraph;
And by the way, I think this is my favorite post of yours. Your written really shines.
Thank you Lor. This may be the most emotional thing I've ever written.
Beautiful. . . . just beautiful. . . . inside (your words) and out (the photos.)
Thank you Oriah.
Thank you for your message of hope and resilience. May you keep on finding the peace within. My husband is the one who got me interested in birding. We were often out in some wilderness grove or marsh and put many miles in at Point Pelee every May migration. When he passed away it was hard to go out alone, but the peace and the beauty of being in nature is overwhelming; you are alone, but not alone. I love the avocets, their beauty and grace and the many tiny beautiful warblers.
Thank you Cathy. I’m glad the birds help you through too.
I appreciated this post today Karen. Thank you for giving so much of you to us! The words, the photos, the gift of hugs to others, and the resources that keep you centered. For me routine helps me stay centered. My morning routine in particular which includes prayers, gratitude, reading meditation books, some journaling, stretching, coffee, and then my morning walk. It is all good. I have the luxury of being retired so I have the time to do this routine, which wasn't always the case. Blessings I send to you and to all your readers!
Thank you Linda. Routine for me too is important. That sounds like a wonderful morning routine! I long for the day when I can afford to be retired enough to set my own schedule and have a longer morning practice!
I worked for many years until I was 70 years old. So I am enjoying it. I forgot to add how important it is to have my walks in nature. I look for hawks and have many pictures. I have been trying to learn the names of plants and birds. Plus I am meeting my neighbors. I believe days are long years are short. You will get there. I appreciate you!
Days are long and years are short- yes! I love that.
Thank you for this, Karen!
Thank you Kelly
You touched me deeply with this morning’s writings ~ I felt tears well up as you described the woman on the pier~ I feel lighter after you shared~ you are an amazing person Karen I am grateful to know you.
Thank you Catherine
Great post Karen…thx for sharing all your resources. And what an encounter you had with the young single Mom….I’m sure your presence helped her cope👍❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thank you Aunt Sharon
two resources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpn1imb9qZg
Coldplay at a stadium in Argentina
pure joy and connection, but how to harness that to work in the world
Am not a fan of the band but find this video so uplifting, watch it when my emotions need tweaking.
zenpeacemakers.org
they had meditation programs on zoom early on Election Night, have an ongoing program on aging,
run by the always on target writer Eve Marko, and a Contemplative Social Action Event with
Dr. Pamela Ayo Yetunde, 11/14
programs are free, they ask for a donation
Their late founder Roshi Bernie Glassman had a core belief that spiritual practice needs to be grounded in concrete work in the real world so his Greyston Bakery in Yonkers NY hired the unhireable and made it work.
Sharon, you were the winner of the giveaway drawing! Can you email me a shipping address at karen@opendoordreaming.com along with a measurement of your wrist so I can get the right size?
Thank you Sharon!
Thank you. We are not alone. And that 'we' is all of humanity.
That's right Cali, it's all of us - human and non-human.